Hotel prices triple for Six Nations

Hotel prices in the UK have risen dramatically as inbound sports tourism increases for the RBS Six Nations championships, according to Trivago.

Cardiff’s rise of 317 per cent (£122 - £510) for Wales vs. France is the highest recorded across the Europe-wide tournament, while Scotland vs. England (£113 - £280) has seen Edinburgh-based hoteliers increase their prices by 147 per cent.

Price increases in London have risen by four per cent (£162 - £168) and 10 per cent (£162 - £178) for games against Ireland and Wales respectively.

Hotel occupancy rates have also been hit by the tournament as fans flock to book rooms. Room availability in Cardiff hits a low of seven per cent, while Edinburgh has a low of eight per cent. Availability for the two games in London is 33 per cent.

Denis Bartlett, UK public relations officer for Trivago said that this is a result of ‘supply and demand’.

“​Cardiff exhibited similar problems during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where hotel prices peaked at £1018. Edinburgh also experiences similar difficulties annually during the month-long Edinburgh Festival in August,” she said.

“Fans still wanting to attend a match in the UK should consider London, where hotel prices are lower and availability is higher than Cardiff or Edinburgh. Overseas, both England and Scotland will play in Rome, where hotel prices are low and availability is sufficient.”